JD Wetherspoon introduces Meta Glasses ban at all 800 pubs

JD Wetherspoon customers can no longer wear Meta Glasses (or any other smart glasses) at any of its more than 800 UK pubs. <i>(Image: Getty Images)</i>
JD Wetherspoon customers can no longer wear Meta Glasses (or any other smart glasses) at any of its more than 800 UK pubs. (Image: Getty Images)
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JD Wetherspoon has announced that a new ban has been introduced across all its UK pubs.

Customers can no longer wear Meta Glasses (or any other smart glasses) at any of its more than 800 pubs.

The devices, which can record video, photos and audio, have raised privacy concerns due to their ability to film without drawing attention.

The ban follows growing reports of people secretly recording strangers and sharing footage online.

Wetherspoons bans Meta Glasses from all UK pubs

A JD Wetherspoon spokesperson, explaining the ban, said: "Like many hospitality companies, Wetherspoon has CCTV cameras for security reasons, but their use is strictly controlled by data legislation.

"Apart from that, the general code that applies in our pubs, and most pubs, is that you can’t film customers or employees without their permission.

"Meta glasses seem to breach this code, and common sense, by enabling surreptitious surveillance, so our instinct is to say turn off the cameras.

"This is akin to our efforts to stop audible playing of videos in our pubs, which also invades people’s space."

Meta reassured people that their glasses have a light that turns on to let people know when a photo or video is being taken.

A spokesperson for the company added: "People use our glasses because they're helpful and help them stay in the moment, from listening to music to live translation or hands-free calls.

"They also provide critical new technology for people who are low-sighted or hard of hearing and limiting how people can use this technology would be a major step backwards.

"Naturally some places shouldn't be filmed at all and that's reasonable but rules should be applied consistently."

Do you agree with the new Meta Glasses ban at Wetherspoon pubs? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments below.

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